Taking proactive steps to ensure optimal cow health following calving can improve her chances of cycling again and maintain milk production.
If a cow gets an infection and inflammation of her reproductive tract after calving (endometritis, or being “dirty”), she’ll be slower to cycle, have lower conception rates and be more likely to be empty.
This means more late cows the following season, fewer days in milk, and less ability to cull for other issues or improvements you want to make. Ultimately, not treating endometritis means less profit and flexibility in your farming system.
Early treatment leads to improved reproduction
Cows that are identified as having endometritis soon after calving and are treated with antibiotics have better reproductive performance. These cows can be put up for mating earlier and have higher pregnancy rates compared to cows treated later or not treated at all.
Why do cows get endometritis?
The calving period can be challenging to cowsʼ health, which can be complicated further with metabolic disease, twins, an assisted calving, being above or below target body condition score, having retained foetal membranes, an oversized or dead calf. These cows are known as “at risk” and have a higher likelihood of developing endometritis.
What is the impact of endometritis?
A New Zealand study looked at the reproductive outcomes for cows treated early versus cows treated later for endometriosis. This showed a nearly 10% higher 6-week-in-calf rate, a 3.25% higher pregnancy rate and that the early treated cows got in-calf eight days earlier. After costs, this study found that for every $1 spent on treating endometritis, there was a $4 return on investment.
Metricheck the whole herd
Cows that have calved normally, without assistance, can also be affected by endometritis. These not-at-risk cows can make up a larger proportion of the animals that will benefit from treatment for endometritis, which means all cows need checking, and if they are affected by endometritis, treating to improve reproductive performance.
For the most accurate detection, all cows should be checked 8-181 days after calving. This involves the vet generally using a “metricheck” tool to look for pus in the vagina.
Cows don’t ‘self-cure’
There used to be a school of thought that waiting allowed cows to “self-cure”. Research has shown that infection remains even when the cervix closes post-calving, leading to infected cows testing negative but still having poorer repro performance. The whole herd should be checked in batches every two to three weeks after they have calved.
How to time metrichecking visits
Talk to your vet about the timing of visits and the need to have multiple metricheck visits for endometritis. New Zealand research shows that there is a return of four times the investment in vet fees from more cows getting in-calf and at an earlier date.
So, in summary:
- Check all cows
- Check them early, 8-18 days after each cow has calved in batches
- There is a financial return for treating cows early
- Cows don’t self-cure; if they are not identified and treated, they will have poorer reproductive performance.
Talk to your veterinarian for more information on metrichecking and improving reproduction performance.
1 Clews, M and Wells, M, 2019. “Early versus late metrichecking – over diagnosis or missed opportunity?” Hoofprint. Volume 35, No. 4. June 2019. Pg. 39-44.